Bedclothes-clamp



(No Model.)

L. M. LOWNES.

BEDGLOTBBS CLAMP. N. 597,805. Patented Jan. 25, 1898*.

Wr j/QPR@ near the center.

UNITED STATES PATENT EErcE.

LEVIS M. LOWNES, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

BEocLoTHEs-CLAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,805, dated January 25, 1898.

Application filed April 5, 1897. Serial No. 630,807. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS lll. LOWNES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps or Clamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of a clasp or clamp, so that peculiar means are provided for its attachment to a rail or the like, and also to provide means 'which will prevent the vcustomary coiled spring usually employed in the type of clasps to which the invention relates from being broken or distorted.

The object of the invention is to construct a clasp or clamp that will be particularly well adapted for use on bedclothing, although it is capable of use in other relations. I attain this object by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which'- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the clasp or clamp. Fig. 2 isa rear elevation.

Like numerals refer to similar parts in both views. 4

The clasp or clamp comprises, essentially, two members 1 and 2, pivoted together at or These members 1 and 2 are provided at their front ends with laterallyextending jaws 8 fl, between which the bedcover or other article is to be clamped and held securely. The inner surfaces of the jaws 3 fl are roughened,corrugated,or serrated to increase their holding power, as plainly shown.

The two members 1 2 are provided on their inner faces with lugs 5 6, which are rabbeted or cut away and pivoted by means of the pin 7. Instead of the two lugs rabbeted,as sh0wn,one of the jaws maybe furnished with two lugs, leaving a space between them, and the other with a single lug to fit into the space, as will be readily understood, and pivoted in' this manner.

At the rear endsof the members l 2 and between their inner faces is arranged a spiral spring 8 for holding the jaws 3 et normally closed.

On the inner side of the rear jaw 2 is a slightly-curved pin or rod 9, which, when the device is operated to open the jaws, will pre-.

vent the collapse or breakage of the spring 8. This pin maybe extended or passed through a hole or aperture in the outer jaw 1, as show in dotted line, as at lO 11, Fig. 1.

Then it is designed to use the clasp on an iron rail, I provide a lug, as 12, on the rear member 2, which is adapted to fit over the edge of the rail and is secured rmly in place thereon by means of suitable screws 13. 'These screws are passed through holes which may be tapped, if desired, in lateral extensions 14: on the rear member 2. Lateral extensions are provided with holes therein, so that the clasp may be secured to awooden rail by means of screws through said holes. It will thus be seen that the clasp may be used by the means just described on a wooden bed-rail or by means of a lug 12 on an iron rail.

As before indicated, the clasp or clamp is specially adapted to be secured-to a bed-rail for holding the bed-cover in position, and its use will be easily understood without further explanation.

Minor changes may be made within the scope of my invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing anyof the advantages thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A clasp comprising two jaws pivoted to each other, the one member being provided with perforated, lateral extensions for securing it to a wooden bed-rail, and with the lug 12, and screw 18, for securing it to an iron rail, and with a curved pin or rod on its inner face at the rear end, a coiled spring surrounding the pin or rod and extending from one member to the other, the opposing member having a hole or aperture therethrough to receive the end ofthe pin when the jaws are opened, sub stantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS M. LOVVNES. 

